PolyU Chinese Culture Festival 2024 - International Forum, Exhibition, Public Lectures and workshop on Chinese Culture and its Modernisation: Yan Fu's Legacy

As one of the activities of the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, International Forum, Exhibition and Public Lectures on Chinese Culture and its Modernisation: Yan Fu’s Legacy were successfully held from 25 Nov to 12 Dec. The event was organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, co-organised by Fujian YanFu Academic Research Association, Fujian Chuanzheng Culture Management Committee and Fujian Culture & Economy Exchange Center.

The International Forum has invited 23 scholars from 18 institutions across Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas, including academia from Heidelberg University in Germany, Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales in France, Kansai University and Niigata University of International and Information Studies in Japan, Tsinghua University, Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Fudan University, Nanjing University, Xiamen University and Fujian Normal University etc. During the forum, the scholars engaged in academic exchanges and deeply explored the value of YAN Fu’s patriotic thoughts in constructing contemporary Chinese culture. By inheriting YAN Fu’s spirit of bringing the world into China and letting China go to the world, the Forum promoted the dissemination and promotion of Chinese culture and its modernisation in Hong Kong and the world.

The Exhibition focused on Yan Fu's contribution to the transformation of modern Chinese culture in modern times, explored his impact on China's self-improvement and reform spirit, and developed his role in patriotism, enlightenment education and the integration of Chinese and Western cultures; promoted Yan Fu's “patriotism, self-improvement, courage to innovate, and courage to challenge, his spirit of continuous self-improvement, defying hardships, and breaking through limitations”. These could inspire university students to dare to break through traditions and challenge difficulties, allow everyone to reflect on how historical figures made innovative thinking in the face of great changes in the times, thereby gaining inspiration and tempering their spirit to face challenges and apply them to modern academic research and social practice.

Three public lectures were held throughout the event. The invited speakers shared their research on the impact of Yan Fu’s thoughts on modern China.

The workshop was led by Ms Huang Yunqing from the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, Faculty of Humanities, PolyU. Participants used different calligraphy styles to write on the lion's head. This work not only embodies Yan Fu’s cultural heritage and innovative ideas, but also echoes the motto of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”.

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